By David Morgan, Associate Editor
MADISON, Ill. – They all knew David Malukas was here.
Coming into Saturday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, expectations were high for Malukas and his No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing team to have a strong run to kick off the final stretch run of the season.
After all, Gateway has statistically been Malukas’ best track on the NTT IndyCar Series circuit and he had been in prime form all weekend, showing speed in both practice and qualifying – enough so to earn him a front row starting position.
Jumping to the lead just three laps in, Malukas was able to hold on to the lead for 11 laps before giving it back up and keeping in touch with the leaders for the majority of the race.
Battling with Will Power with 21 laps to go, both aiming to put themselves in the best position as the strategy at the time was playing out, everything went awry for the 22-year-old.
Heading into Turn 1, Malukas ducked low on Power and pulled alongside him as the two drivers approached the lapped machine of Kyle Kirkwood. It was at that time that Power appeared to pinch Malukas down, causing the two to make contact.
Malukas would get the worse end of the deal as his Honda broke loose and spun into the outside wall, scattering bits of the rear end of the car all over the turn, bringing out the caution and his day to an early end.
On the other hand, Power was able to escape without any damage to his car and continued on in the race until he too met an early end.
After being evaluated and released by INDYCAR Medical, Malukas was visibly distraught with what had just transpired, knowing it was his best chance yet to challenge for his first career victory.
“I had a run. I set it up. I went down the inside. I still need to look over the video and see how it was, but from my side, I just feel like I came in. Power just came by and screamed at me. I don’t know if he even got a penalty there.
“I braked. I slowed down. I gave him as much room as I could other than the curb and he gave me a tap and that was kind of it. There’s not much else I could do. He’s screaming at me. Like man, you have a whole second lane you can go up there.
“I would still continue to do the move. I think it was a good move. I gave him the space. We slowed down. If he would have just stayed in that second lane, we would have been perfectly fine. Side-by-side, you come down at hit me…
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